I Just Spent 3 Days in Oslo—Here's Everything I Packed and Wore
Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Oslo Runway—an annual three-day event designed to showcase Norway’s most exciting and talented designers and their latest collections. As I’m a longtime admirer of Scandi style and design, the trip was all the more thrilling to take. Not only did I discover some of the coolest Norwegian brands on the fashion scene, but I also got to explore a city that has been on my bucket list for quite some time.
I was only in Oslo for four days in total, and three of the days during Oslo Runway were jam-packed with runway shows, presentations, pop-ups, and press dinners. Since I was only planning to take a carry-on, my aim was to pack strategically with versatile pieces that were fashion-forward and could easily work for both day and night. I leaned toward a more minimalist aesthetic (I was in Scandinavia, after all!) and armed myself with a small number of sleek and versatile accessories that I could repeat with all my outfits.
Since I’ve never packed better for a big trip, I wanted to document my packing success and share all the pieces I brought along with me that were not only perfect for the fashion-week whirlwind but also fit the bill for the cool, walkable Scandi city, where layers and comfy footwear are a must.
Day 1
On the first afternoon, I had an early evening press dinner followed by a lineup of runway shows featuring cool emerging talent that were within walking distance from the very trendy Hotel Revier, where I was staying. I opted for an effortless Scandi outfit formula—a maxi skirt paired with a relaxed button-down. The accessories here are essential to amp up the easy outfit. I styled the look with chunky toe-ring sandals, layered pearl necklaces, and a textured woven bag to add dimension to the whole look.
For the evening, I did a quick change for the Oslo Runway x Vogue Scandinavia opening party and award ceremony—a seriously cool event packed full of stylish Norwegian influencers, designers, editors, and stylists. Since this event was a little more dressy, I opted for a sleek white maxi skirt, an of-the-moment black tube top, a vintage Fendi baguette bag, and black and silver accessories to accent the look. Small heels were the ideal finishing touch.
Day 2
Day two was a busy one—bustling from runway shows to a chic lunch to presentations and evening cocktails. Since it was much cooler and pouring with rain, I layered a sleeveless knit cashmere vest in this season's fiery color trend (a vintage find from The RealReal) over a white tank and styled them with fashion-forward low-rise relaxed jeans, accented with a classic black belt. A vintage silk Celine scarf tied around my Coach bag added some flair. I stuck with flat sandals, which was a great idea since we did a lot of walking (although I think Wellington boots would have been a better bet). Not pictured was my floor-length trench coat. I also brought a versatile beige blazer for extra layering.
Day 3
On the third and last day, I opted for a minimalist-chic ensemble perfect for seeing the ever-so-elegant runway show by Atelier Hinode, one of my favorite up-and-coming Norwegian brands. The black-and-white outfit was ideal to take me into the evening in style, especially as there were a lot of events happening that night. I cannot recommend these low-rise white pants from Aritzia more. They look so expensive and drape beautifully. A black '90s ribbed tank from Zara and polished black accessories (repeated from the last few days, of course) completed the look.
Oslo Packing Tips
Here are a couple of tips for packing for Oslo. Bring plenty of layers and a trench or waterproof jacket. The weather was pretty unpredictable, with heavy rain one day and sunny 75-degree weather the next, so it's best to be prepared. Comfortable shoes are a must. From what I observed, most Oslofolk ground their outfits in practicality, which ooze a laid-back cool. Chunky sneakers are unquestionably the footwear of choice in the city—whether styled with an easy flowy dress or a chic miniskirt. While Scandi style certainly errs on the minimal side, don't be afraid to have some fun with color. Bubblegum pink was definitely the color I spotted the most. And don't forget a wool sweater. Norway's heritage is deeply rooted in the production of wool, and you'll see the coolest fashion people styling a wool sweater with everything from miniskirts to maxi skirts and flowy trousers.
Judith Jones is the senior fashion market editor at Who What Wear who specializes in shopping content and trend stories with high-affiliate impact. She shares the coolest, most desirable fashion market finds and brands for every budget. Previous to working in fashion, Judith worked as a TV host on the PBS travel show Globe Trekker (airing on Netflix and Amazon Prime) sharing her passion for travel and culture.